Marker gauge for tanks



Dec. 30, 1952 T 2,623,492

MARKER GAUGE FOR TANKS Filed July 24, 1951 5 I I I IIIIIIII i :2 qr g z 2 I] l I G I 1 5 1 9 '1 E .E

- INVENTOR. lV/Cfi'flfl. B. E/iT/l 6 TTOQA/EVS Patented Dec. 30, 1952 MARKER GAUGE Fort TANKS Michael B. Rath, Lorain, Ohio, assignor to The; Standard Oil Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application July 24, 1951, Serial No. 238,282

' 5 Claims. 1

In tanks, where it is desired to fill liquids in to some predetermined capacity short of overflow, various expedients have been tried for proriding a marker to which the liquid level is to be run, but there has not been attained a device applicable without change in any part of the tank structure and which is sufficiently versatile and accurate for commercial purposes. In accordance with the present invention however, a construction may be had which can be easily applied to tanks in wide range whether stationary or on the order of tank cars, tank trucks, etc., and which permits effective visual indication and yet, can be adjusted for various capacities. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention then comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawing setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various Ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawing:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged partly broken elevational view of the marker gauge, looking in the direction of the arrow II, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the marker gauge; and

Fig. 4-. is a transverse section taken on a plane substantially indicated by line IV--IV, Fig. 2.

For convenience, the device is illustrated as applied in a tank truck, and in Fig. 1, the tank shell 2 is shown as having a manhole and a cover 3. The latter may be mounted in any manner as known, hinged, clamped, screw-threaded, etc. Particularly in compartmentalized tanks, tank trailers, etc., where several compartments are involved, each may have its manhole to permit convenient filling to a predetermined level by means of a hose located at the loading rack or platform. Thus, with a manhole as illustrated, the marker G may be mounted on the inside wall above, permitting desirable visibility for the filling attendant. In general, the marker involves an elongated frame and a slidably adjustable marker indicator therein. The frame may be of striplike form with parallel side portions or legs 5 and a horizontal top portion 6. Through the top 6 an opening 4 permits the swivel mounting of the long threaded rod 1, which has a bolt-head 8 turnable on the said horizontal portion, and a marker indicator 9 threaded on the rod 1 and slidably confined between the frame legs 5 may be adjusted axially up and down by the rotating of the bolt-headed rod. A set-nut In which can be tightened up against the under-side of the horizontal portion 6 of the frame is available to prevent undesired rotation and hold the desired level adjustment. The marker indicator 9- has a peculiar shape, in that its upper surface is generally coned, and its lower surface is horizontal, and laterally it presents surfaces riding against theframe legs 5, preventing rotation of the indicator and allowing its aXlal adjustment as aforementioned. Such shape is found to give aparticularly clear-cut and abrupt indication of the liquid level coming into contact with the indicator, as the liquid meniscus as seen by the attendant occasions an abrupt and clear-cut change in appearance at the instant the predetermined level is reached in the filling operation. The marker frame is suitably fastened in position of course, and conveniently it maybe held to the container wall by a suiiiciency of welding spots.

To absolutely prevent any possible jarring loose or any unauthorized change of the adjusted set level of the indicator, although the set-nut H), with or without a lock washer ordinarily is sufiicient, in some instances there may be an additional locking means. And for this, the bolt head 3 may have fine caliber drill holes I I therethrough horizontally, and when in adjusted position for the indicator 9 a seal wire I2 can be passed through the nearest one and through one or both holes [3 in the top 6 of the frame, and a lead seal M may be compressed on the wire ends, as in a manner well-known.

In the use of the device, having determined the proper level for a desired capacity for a tank or compartment, as for instance for the delivery of a certain gallonage of a refined petroleum product, fuel, etc., the set-nut I0 having been loosened, the marker indicator 9 is adjusted to that level by rotation of the bolt-headed rod 7, and the rod is then looked with the lock nut Iii. Additionally, if desired, the seal wire I2 and seal is may be applied. On filling the liquid into the container then, as with the loading rack hose, the attendant watching the indicator 9 sees the meniscus reach is lower surface, and shuts oh? the flow.

The device, as seen, is rugged, and yet is precise, and as it occupies relatively little space at the side, is out of the way, yet provides adequate visibility.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims or the equivalent of such be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In a liquid container, an elongated guide frame secured above to the inside of the container, and having a horizontal top portion and side portions depending therefrom, a screwthreaded rod freely rotatable in an unthreaded hole in said horizontal top portion and having a bolt-like head turnable thereon, a set-nut on said rod inside the frame to lock against the said horizontal frame portion, and a liquid-level marker indicator threaded on said rod having a coned upper surface and a flat under-surface and slidable against the confining side portions of the frame for movement in a vertical plane as the rod is turned to set the indicator to desired position.

2. In a liquid container, an elongated guide frame secured above to the inside of the container, and having a horizontal top portion, a screw-threaded rod freely rotatable in an unthreaded hole in said horizontal top portion and having a bolt-like head turnable thereon, a setnut for locking said rod against undesired turning, and a liquid-level indicator marker threaded on said rod for vertical movement by turning of the rod, said guide preventing rotation of the indicator.

3. A liquid-level marker gauge, comprising a frame, a bolt-headed screw-threaded rod rotatable therein for permitting turning without axial advance, a marker indicator having a coned upper surface and horizontal under-surface, said indicator being threaded on the rod for axial adjustment as the rod is turned, and having a lateral rotation-preventing surface slidable against the frame, small caliber bores through the head of said screw-threaded rod and holes in the top of said frame, and a sealing Wire therefor with a seal.

4. A liquid-level marker gauge, comprising a frame, a screw-threaded rod rotatable therein for permitting turning without axial advance, and a marker indicator having a coned upper surface and horizontal under-surface, said indicator being threaded on the rod for axial adjustment as the rod is turned and having a lateral rotationpreventing surface slidable against the frame.

5. A liquid-level marker gauge, comprising a screw-threaded rod with mounting therefor permitting its turnin without axial advance, and a liquid-level marker indicator threaded on said rod for axial adjustment by turning the rod and having a slidable surface preventing turning of the indicator marker.

MICHAEL B. RATH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,371,511 Fans Mar. 13, 1945 2,576,577 Criss Nov. 27, 1951 

